Fraser puts boot into FFA bosses

Former A-League chief Archie Fraser says the reinstatement of
Nathan Tinkler
as Newcastle Jets owner is terrific for the game, but things should never have reached such a dire stage – and nor should Football Federation Australia chairman
Frank Lowy
have had to get involved.

Mr Fraser, now chief executive of Football Australia (the game’s lobby group set up by Queensland magnate Clive Palmer), said: “The outcome is good from a football perspective.

“If the model is to attract high net-worth individuals to the game, the fact [Tinkler’s] back is terrific.

“But it should never have got as far as it did."

Mr Tinkler pleased fans on Tuesday when he announced he would be reinstated as Jets owner after Mr Lowy flew to Brisbane to meet him.

It was a dramatic change of heart after what had seemed like an intractable position taken by Mr Tinkler’s Hunter Sports Group to relinquish its ownership licence.

The news capped off a tumultuous period for the FFA.

Just weeks before Mr Tinkler gave up ownership of the Jets, the FFA stripped Clive Palmer of his licence to operate Gold Coast United, resulting in the club being wound up and Mr Palmer setting up Football Australia in early March.